About the role
The Stadiums Manager is responsible for the leadership, management and growth of the City’s stadium venues portfolio, delivering strategic outcomes aligned to community needs and organisational priorities. This role oversees operations, programming, staffing, and business development across multiple sites, including new facility activation. It plays a key role in enhancing participation, customer experience, and long-term sustainability of:

• Leisuretime Sporting Precinct
• Barwon Valley Activity Centre
• Armstrong Creek Sports Centre (New Site – Opening late 2026)
• Waurn Ponds Sporting Complex (New Site – Opening early – mid 2027)

Work type: Permanent Full Time
Classification: Band 8 Commencing at $122,040 pa plus super

Key responsibilities include:

• Lead the planning, development and operationalisation of Waurn Ponds Sporting Complex and Armstrong Creek Sports Centre.
• Provide strategic and operational leadership across multiple stadium venues (4 sites), ensuring high-quality service delivery and community outcomes.
• Lead, develop and inspire a multidisciplinary team, fostering a positive, inclusive and high-performing culture.
• Drive participation growth through innovative programs, competitions, and events, including the development of new gymnastics services.
• Manage operational budgets, financial performance, and resource allocation to ensure sustainable and efficient operations.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with stakeholders including community groups, sporting organisations, contractors, and internal teams.
• Oversee facility management, ensuring venues are safe, compliant, well-maintained, and optimised for maximum utilisation.

About you
You will bring proven leadership experience within the sport, leisure or recreation industry (min 5 years experience within a management role in the industry), with the ability to manage complex operations and drive strategic outcomes. You are a collaborative and influential communicator, skilled in stakeholder engagement, program development, and financial management. A strong customer focus, commercial mindset, and passion for community participation will see you thrive in this role.

Essential Experience:

• Tertiary qualification in a relevant or a related discipline (e.g. Leisure and Sports Management) with related experience, or less formal qualifications and extensive related experience
• Current Working with Children Check
• Provide First Aid (including CPR)
• Current Drivers Licence
• Chief Warden training completed or willingness to obtain
• Preferred candidates will be required to undergo a National Police Check and a pre-employment medical assessment as part of the recruitment process (funded by the City).

If this sounds like the role for you, then click apply now! 

Child Safety Responsibilities   
We are committed to being a child-safe organisation and have zero-tolerance for child abuse. We have specific policies, procedures, and mandatory training in place to support employees, volunteers, and contractors to achieve and adhere to these commitments. Please read our Child Safe Standards Management Policy.  

Diversity and Inclusion  
At the City we want a workforce that reflects the community we live in. We welcome and embrace everyone, all people with their own unique experiences, and support and encourage all our employees to do their best work, have equal access to opportunities and a just working environment. For this reason, we particularly welcome and encourage applications from First Nations people, people with diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds, from the LGBTQIA+ community, people with disability and people of all genders, ages and diverse experience.  

We are the City
From parks to offices, childcare centres to works depots, leisure facilities to the Wool Museum and waterfront, our team plays a vital role in shaping our vibrant and growing community. Our community counts on us to get the essentials right while looking for ways to go beyond. By listening, collaborating, and focusing on sustainability, we strive to do the basics brilliantly and create a lasting impact. If you’re ready to be part of something bigger, join us in shaping the future of Geelong.

We support accessibility and encourage discussions about any adjustments or support you may need during the recruitment process.

Applications and Enquiries

Click the Position Description link to view more information about this position.

Enquiries: Danny Hickin – Swim, Sport and Leisure Operations Lead | daniel.hickin@geelongcity.vic.gov.au

Click the Apply button to submit your application or find out more about this opportunity. If we can assist you with any reasonable adjustments in order to submit your application for this role, please contact the Talent Acquisition team via email at careers@geelongcity.vic.gov.au noting your preferred method of communication and contact details and a member of the team will be in touch.

We collect demographic data to help us learn who our advertisements are reaching and how we can reach an even more diverse audience.  We are committed to building a more diverse team. Your responses to our demographic questions are strictly confidential and will not be individually shared.